The National Museum of the Holodomor Genocide Invites Schoolchildren from Abroad to an Online Tour
The National Museum of the Holodomor Genocide in Kyiv fulfils a crucial mission of preserving the memory of one of the most tragic pages of Ukrainian history. In the context of the war and the displacement of many Ukrainian families abroad, there is a need to create educational tools that maintain a connection with their native culture and history. The online excursion for schoolchildren offered by the museum is a great opportunity for children living outside Ukraine to join the study of the Holodomor even from a distance.
This format allows students to better understand the importance of historical memory and raises awareness of the Ukrainian past. The initiative is available for children of primary and secondary school age, adapting the material to the level of understanding of each audience. This was reported on Facebook by Liubov Liubchyk, Chair of the Ukrainian World Congress Educational Coordinating Council (UWCEC).
‘This is a unique opportunity to visit the museum from home or from any corner of the world by ordering a video tour (available in Ukrainian and English),’ she wrote.
Online tour formats: video tours for schoolchildren of all ages
The National Museum of the Holodomor Genocide offers two separate video tours specially designed for different age groups to provide an understandable and touching introduction to the topic.
- The tour for younger students (grades 1-6 ) is a video journey based on a story told by a 10-year-old schoolgirl about her visit to the museum. This format helps children to perceive information through familiar childhood experiences, making the material easy to understand and emotionally engaging. An additional element is the sand animation, which adds visual expressiveness and promotes immersion in the story. Through this interactive visual approach, children learn about the Holodomor in an accessible way that not only informs but also evokes an emotional response.
- A tour for teenagers and adults – the format of this video is aimed at an older audience, so the information is more detailed and in-depth. During the tour, viewers will learn about the main events of the Holodomor, the peculiarities of the Soviet government’s policy that led to this tragedy, and have the opportunity to see the museum’s exhibition. The narrative includes interviews and archival materials that illustrate the complex aspects of this page of Ukrainian history. This approach allows for a better understanding of the scale and consequences of the Holodomor, as well as the importance of preserving this memory.
A tour of the museum’s unique exhibits: living testimonies of history
During the video tour, viewers have the opportunity to see a number of unique museum exhibits that not only complement the story but also become symbols of the tragic past. Each artefact has its own story, which recreates the realities of Ukrainian life in 1932-1933.
- Personal belongings of the Holodomor victims. Some of the exhibits demonstrate household items used by Ukrainian families trying to survive the artificial famine.
- Archival documents. Information on grain procurement plans, official correspondence, and personal letters revealing details of the Soviet regime’s policy towards the Ukrainian population.
- Photo and video materials. Visual evidence of the genocide, which provides an opportunity to see the horrific reality of those times, making the modern viewer feel the tragedy on an emotional level.
Stories about humanity and the strength of the Ukrainian spirit
In addition to the history of the genocide itself, the tour pays special attention to stories about the humanity that helped Ukrainians survive even in the darkest times. Through the stories of individuals, children and teenagers learn about true resilience, helping your neighbour, and the unwavering spirit of the Ukrainian people. This approach helps them to understand that even in the most difficult conditions, people found the strength to help each other and preserve their humanity, which has become an important example of moral endurance.
How to join: registration and access to the tour
For those who want to watch the video tour, the National Museum of the Holodomor Genocide offers a convenient opportunity to pre-register at the link. This service is free of charge and available in both Ukrainian and English, which allows us to reach a wide audience of Ukrainians abroad, regardless of their country of residence.
Holodomor Remembrance Day – 23 November 2024
Every year on the fourth Saturday of November, Ukraine commemorates the victims of the Holodomor. In 2024, this day falls on 23 November. A virtual tour can become a part of this memorable date for those Ukrainians who are abroad and do not have the opportunity to visit the museum in person. This is an important opportunity for every Ukrainian to preserve the memory of the victims and pass it on to future generations.
The online tour offered by the National Museum of the Holodomor Genocide opens up new opportunities for children and adults, including Ukrainian schoolchildren abroad. Thanks to modern technology, Ukrainians, regardless of where they are, can join the study of the history of their nation, feel its significance and preserve the memory of the tragic events. This initiative is extremely important for maintaining the national identity of Ukrainians abroad and serves as a reminder of the indomitable Ukrainian spirit.
